WAEC Physics 2005 Past Questions

Practice each question, then open it to see the full details.

Question 10

(a) Sketch a diagram of a simple pendulum performing simple harmonic motion and indicate positions of maximum potential energy and kinetic energy.

(b) A body moving with simple harmonic motion in a straight line has velocity, v and acceleration, a, when the instantaneous displacement, x in cm, from its maximum position is given by x = 2.5 sin 0.4 \(\pi t\), where t is in seconds. Determine the magnitude of the maximum (i) veloxity; (ii) acceleration

(c) A mass m attached to a light spiral is caused to perform simple harmonic motion of frequency

f = \(\frac{1}{2 \pi} \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}\), where k is the force constant of the spring.

(i) Explain the physical significance of \(\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}\).

(ii) If m = 0.30 kg, k = 30Nm\(^{-1}\) and the maximum position is 0.015m, calculate the maximum;

(i) kinetic energy

(ii) tension in the spring during the motion [g = 10 ms\(^{-1}\), \(\pi\) = 3.142]

Theory
Question 11

(a) Explain specific latent heat

(b)(i) Describe how the specific latent heat of fusion of ice can be determined by the method of mixtures.

(ii) State two precautions to be taken to ensure accurate results.

(c) Steam, at 100°C, is passed into a container of negligible heat capacity containing 20 g of ice and 100 g of water at 0°C, until the ice is completely melted. Determine the total mass of water in the container.  [Specific latent heat of steam = 2.3 x 10\(^3\) Jg\(^{-1}\), specific latent heat of ice = 3.4 x 10\(^{2}\) Jg\(^{-1}\), specifit heat capacity of water = 4.2 Jg\(^{-1}\) K\(^{-1}\)]

 

Theory
Question 12

(a) Explain (i) refraction of a wave;

(ii) critical angle

 

(b) State two conditions necessary for (i) total internal reflection of a wave to occur

(ii) interference wave patterns to be formed

 

(c) The distance between two successive crests of a water wave travelling at 3.6ms\(^{-1}\) is 0.45m, calculate the frequency of the wave

 

(d) A ray of light is incident at an angle of 30° at an air-glass interface.

(i) Draw a ray diagram to show the deviation of the ray in the glass.

(ii) Determine the angle of deviation. [Refractive index of glass = 1.50]

Theory
Question 13

(a) (i) Explain (I) electric potential; (II) electric potential energy

(ii) State the SI unit of each of the term in (a)(i) above

(b) An isolated electrically charged sphere of radius, r, and charge, Q, is supported on an insulator in air of permitivity, \(\varepsilon_o\). Write down;

(i) an expression for the electric field intensity on the surface of the sphere;

(ii) an expression for the electric potential at the surface of the sphere;

(iii) a relationship between the electric field intensity and the electric potential at the surface of the sphere

 

(c) The plates of a parallel plate capacitor, 5.0 x 10\(^{-3}\) m apart are maintained at a potential difference of 5.0 x 10\(^{4}\) V. Calculate the magnitude f the

(i) electric field intensity between the plates

(ii) force on the electron

(iii) acceleration of the elctron

[electronic charge = 1.60 x 10\(^{-19}\)C, mass of electron = 9.1 \times 10\(^{-31}\) kg]

Theory
Question 15

(a) State two;

(i) differences between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission;

(ii) peaceful uses of atomic energy 

 

(b)(i) Explain chain reaction

(ii) State (I) one condition necessary for chain reaction to occur. 

(II) two components in a nuclear reactor used to control chain reaction.

 

(c)(i) A nuclear reaction is given \(^2_1H + ^3_1H = ^4_0n\)  + energy

What type of nuclear reaction is it?

(ii) The isotope of a nuclide has a half life of 5.40 x 10\(^3\) s, Calculate its decay constant.

Theory